THE BOOK--Playing The Percentages In Baseball

At the risk of pointing out the obvious: Having family (i.e. kids) would be even more reason to leave in this context.

[OT: Site formatting is funny, text on older posts is off to the left on my screen]

To steal a bit from Churchill, this is the worst country in the world, except for all the others.

I know how you feel MGL, but if I decided to leave I’m not sure where I’d want to go.

I don’t know either.  Obviously, this country has a lot to offer as far as amenities go, but I think that there are plenty of better countries as far as personal freedom goes.  I could be wrong though.  And I could be overreacting.

If I actually did leave, I’d have to do some research.

My day job takes me on a daily basis into the “low income urban areas” and the “drug and gang infested ghettos.” I am legally required to call child protective services if I suspect abuse or neglect.  May I simply say that living in a rough area and/or not having much of an income does not make one a bad parent, nor are half the kids (or anywhere even close) in danger of abuse or neglect.  Yes, I’ve had to make that call a handful of times, but most of the time, the parents are involved, caring, and doing the best they can in a bad situation.

I’ve also done research (and published an actual journal article) on how people make the decision on whether or not to report child abuse.  People are entirely too reluctant to make the call concerning abuse… until it comes to sex.  Then they over-react.

I was talking out of my derriere of course, but I think my point still stands.

You can go into 100 homes virtually anywhere on the planet and you are going to find some significant percentage with some kind of “abuse.” Now whether much of that “abuse” needs government intervention, I don’t know.  I am absolutely certain that if the government took away all kids who are “abused” in one way or another, there would be virtually no children left at home.  See my list below.

Parents can verbally abuse and/or spank the crap out of their children, break their spirits, let them eat and give them junk food all day long, smoke like chimneys and drink like fish around them, let them watch TV all day long, let them play video games and go on the computer all day long, fight among each other like cats and dogs, ignore them, not go their Little League games or berate them when they play badly, not give a hoot about their education, but God forbid they should practice an atypical religion or a non-mainstream way of life in a loving and caring manner, and all hell breaks loose…

May I simply say that living in a rough area and/or not having much of an income does not make one a bad parent, nor are half the kids (or anywhere even close) in danger of abuse or neglect.

That depends entirely on your definition of abuse and neglect.  To me smoking around your children is abuse.  What percentage of parents in low-income families smoke?  To me, not taking your kids to the dentist is abuse.  What percentage of families take their kids to the dentist once a year?  To me, giving them fast food on a regular basis is abuse.  What percentage?  Just because you “care” and are doing the “best you can” does not mean you are doing a good job.

Yes, I’ve had to make that call a handful of times, but most of the time, the parents are involved, caring, and doing the best they can in a bad situation.

Sorry, Pizza, I love ya baby, but that is sanctimonious crap!

I’d recommend Canada.  If the winters are too harsh for you, Toronto or Vancouver would be your best bets.

Others recommend Scandanavian countries (Sweden, Finland) as the best in terms of personal satisfaction.

All these countries fare much better than USA on a personal level, when you read the surveys.  Of course, if you are like some politicians, if it goes against your opinion, then the polls are all somehow biased!

Here you go…

http://www.vexen.co.uk/countries/best.html

You aren’t going to find one country that is “the best” for everyone.  It’s kind of like trying to find the “best” ballpark to play in.  Jake Peavy and Matt Holliday might have dramatically different opinions on the matter.

Following the link in #8, the countries that rate well on those criteria might be great for someone well to the left of center (on a US scale), but right wingers might justifiably feel like moving if they find themselves in those places.

Nothing against Canada, but if Toronto is the warm weather option, I’ll pass.  I used to live in upstate New York.  Toronto being directly north of Buffalo, can’t be that warm.

Maybe Mexico one of these days...It’s a good place for American retirees.  Not so good if you need a job.

Can we just give Texas back to Mexico?

And while we’re at it, is there a way to kick West Virginia out, too?